How To Figure Out If Your Child Needs Dental Braces

Knowing if your child will benefit from braces or orthodontic treatment can be a bit tricky. The good news is early signs of orthodontic issues are often easy to spot. From crooked teeth to an uneven bite, there are many reasons why braces may be the right choice for your child’s dental health.

Our orthodontists share some common signs that can indicate your child might benefit from braces. We recommend seeing an orthodontist so you can make an informed decision about their orthodontic care.

Obvious Signs Your Child May Need Braces

There are several indicators to look out for as your child grows. These include:

1. Crooked or crowded teeth
2. Difficulty chewing
3. Overbite or underbite
4. Mouth breathing
5. Early or late loss of baby teeth
6. Thumb sucking
7. Jaw shifting or clicking
8. Speech problems

If you notice any of these signs, our team suggests a consultation with an orthodontist. A thorough assessment will ensure any possible issues are identified early. The optimal age to review your child’s dental development is between the ages of 7-10. The first appointment will review your child’s existing teeth as well as carefully assess how the adult teeth will erupt.

MP Orthodontics approaches early treatment conservatively and offers all parents complimentary orthodontic reviews for children. This ensures you have access to all the information you need to make an informed decision should your child need treatment.

Misaligned teeth

Crooked teeth and crowding are the most common signs that your child may need braces. When teeth are crowded, they may overlap, twist, or push against each other, making it difficult to clean them properly. This can lead to problems like cavities or gum disease if left untreated.

Braces can gently guide these teeth into their correct positions, creating a healthier and more aesthetically appealing smile. By addressing crooked or crowded teeth early, you can help your child avoid future dental complications and improve their overall oral health.

Difficulty chewing or biting

Orthodontic misalignment can make it difficult for your child to eat and chew comfortably. This can present as a misalignment between the upper and lower jaws or malocclusion. Without treatment, crooked teeth can lead to premature wear. In serious cases, they can also lead to jaw problems.

Overbite and Underbite

An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth stick out too far over the bottom teeth. An underbite describes the lower teeth extending past the upper teeth. These bite issues can cause uneven wear on the teeth, jaw pain, and even affect how your child speaks or chews.

Mouth breathing

Regular mouth breathing can point to a narrow palate. While the causes can be varied, a narrow palate can also lead to issues with crowding and jaw alignment. Mouth breathing can also lead to a dry mouth which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Treatment focuses on correcting any underlying issues with tooth alignment or jaw positioning, allowing your child to breathe more easily through their nose and maintain better oral health.

Early or late loss of baby teeth

Baby teeth play an important role in guiding permanent teeth into the right position. If they fall out too soon, the surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space, leading to alignment issues when adult teeth come in. Baby teeth that are lost late can prevent permanent teeth from coming through correctly.

Thumb sucking

Prolonged thumb sucking can affect the development of the teeth and jaw. It can lead to issues like overbite, open bite, or teeth protruding. These dental problems can impact how your child chews, speaks, and even breathes.

Jaw shifting or clicking

If your child is experiencing jaw popping, clicking, or moving to one side it can indicate a misalignment. This can lead to discomfort, difficulty chewing, or even jaw pain over time.

Speech problems

When speaking we rely on the tongue, lips and jaws working together to create sounds we recognise as speech. If your child’s teeth are not aligned properly certain sounds can be difficult to pronounce.  This situation makes them self-conscious and may affect their self-concept.

A Conservative Approach to Early Orthodontics

It is important to remember that your son or daughter will not leave their first orthodontic consultation with braces. The first consultation is about providing you with the information you need to maintain your child’s oral health. If treatment is recommended, our orthodontists always aim to use the most conservative orthodontic treatments possible.

MP Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice based in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Working from the belief that orthodontic treatment is much more than working with teeth and creating smiles, treating orthodontists – Dr Martin Poon and Dr Geoff Hall – approach patients as people first. Their approach is to work together and plan and implement treatment that meets each individual’s needs. Drawing on 30 plus years experience of helping children gain confidence through tailored treatment, MP Orthodontics, is a truly unique orthodontic practice.